EP2110168A1 - Sperrfilter mit hydrophilen und hydrophoben Membranteilen - Google Patents

Sperrfilter mit hydrophilen und hydrophoben Membranteilen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2110168A1
EP2110168A1 EP09158596A EP09158596A EP2110168A1 EP 2110168 A1 EP2110168 A1 EP 2110168A1 EP 09158596 A EP09158596 A EP 09158596A EP 09158596 A EP09158596 A EP 09158596A EP 2110168 A1 EP2110168 A1 EP 2110168A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filter
membrane
membranes
hydrophilic
hydrophobic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09158596A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jean-Marc Cappia
Stephen Proulx
Stephen Tingley
Jack Messing
Matthias Gratzfeld
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EMD Millipore Corp
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Millipore Corp
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Filing date
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Application filed by Millipore Corp filed Critical Millipore Corp
Publication of EP2110168A1 publication Critical patent/EP2110168A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D67/00—Processes specially adapted for manufacturing semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus
    • B01D67/0081—After-treatment of organic or inorganic membranes
    • B01D67/0088—Physical treatment with compounds, e.g. swelling, coating or impregnation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/0005—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for pharmaceuticals, biologicals or living parts
    • A61L2/0011—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for pharmaceuticals, biologicals or living parts using physical methods
    • A61L2/0017—Filtration
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A61L2/022—Filtration
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/26—Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
    • A61L2/28—Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
    • B01D19/0031—Degasification of liquids by filtration
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D61/00—Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
    • B01D61/14—Ultrafiltration; Microfiltration
    • B01D61/18—Apparatus therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D61/00—Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
    • B01D61/14—Ultrafiltration; Microfiltration
    • B01D61/20—Accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D63/00—Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
    • B01D63/06—Tubular membrane modules
    • B01D63/067—Tubular membrane modules with pleated membranes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D63/00—Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
    • B01D63/08—Flat membrane modules
    • B01D63/082—Flat membrane modules comprising a stack of flat membranes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D63/00—Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
    • B01D63/14—Pleat-type membrane modules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D65/00—Accessories or auxiliary operations, in general, for separation processes or apparatus using semi-permeable membranes
    • B01D65/02—Membrane cleaning or sterilisation ; Membrane regeneration
    • B01D65/022—Membrane sterilisation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D65/00—Accessories or auxiliary operations, in general, for separation processes or apparatus using semi-permeable membranes
    • B01D65/10—Testing of membranes or membrane apparatus; Detecting or repairing leaks
    • B01D65/102—Detection of leaks in membranes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D69/00—Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or properties; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D69/00—Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or properties; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor
    • B01D69/02—Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or properties; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor characterised by their properties
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D69/00—Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or properties; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor
    • B01D69/12—Composite membranes; Ultra-thin membranes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D69/00—Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or properties; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor
    • B01D69/12—Composite membranes; Ultra-thin membranes
    • B01D69/1213—Laminated layers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2201/00—Details relating to filtering apparatus
    • B01D2201/04—Supports for the filtering elements
    • B01D2201/0407—Perforated supports on both sides of the filtering element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2325/00—Details relating to properties of membranes
    • B01D2325/08—Patterned membranes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2325/00—Details relating to properties of membranes
    • B01D2325/36—Hydrophilic membranes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2325/00—Details relating to properties of membranes
    • B01D2325/38—Hydrophobic membranes

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to a barrier filter unit and, in particular, to an aseptic barrier filter unit having regionally defined gas and liquid permeability.
  • a sterile process filter unit (containing membrane material) is often placed within the process system to filter the effluent sent ultimately to a collection vessel.
  • Steam is often used to sterilize both the product and the process equipment.
  • steam can damage the process filter unit's membrane components, compromising the sterility of the system. Integrity testing of the process filter thus becomes necessary to ensure that it is operational.
  • Integrity testing involves flowing liquid, usually water, through the process filter to wet the membrane material therein. Once the process membrane material is wetted, the water must be removed from the system. This typically requires a drain valve through which the water from the wetted first filter is removed. In typical conventional systems, this valve is not protected by any microbial barrier, and therefore, is a potential point of contamination of the now sterile system. Air borne microbes can enter the system through the valve when opened for drainage.
  • the second step of the integrity test is to pressurize the system with a gas, usually air or nitrogen. Again, however, the gas must be exhausted upon completion.
  • the present invention provides a filter comprising, within a common enclosure, one or several filter membranes having singularly or collectively a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, the common enclosure having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a fluid path therebetween, all filter membranes being located within the fluid path.
  • the filter can be configured as a so-called “process scale cartridge” or “capsule filter device” provided with wrapped, wound, or stacked hydrophobic and hydrophilic membrane material.
  • the inventive filter unit can be employed in several applications, paramount among which, is its inventive use as a barrier filter in a membrane-based process (e.g ., filtration, isolation, purification, etc .) for manufacturing a liquid product (e.g ., a pharmaceutical grade antibody) from a liquid raw material (e.g ., a raw incubated antibody culture).
  • a liquid product e.g ., a pharmaceutical grade antibody
  • a liquid raw material e.g ., a raw incubated antibody culture
  • a network of conduits and receptacles are assembled to define a desired fluid process stream, wherein liquid raw material is introduced at one end of the stream and withdrawn as liquid product at another end.
  • Process membrane(s) are positioned within the fluid process stream.
  • the barrier filter is installed between a process membrane and an end of the fluid process stream where liquid product is collected. At this location the barrier filter can be used for the aseptic discharge of fluids -- both gas and liquid -- run through the system, for example, for
  • inventive barrier filter can yield several advantages. For example, post "steam-in-place" and drying of aseptic processing equipment without undesirably compromising the sterility of the system is achievable. Also, the combined hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties of the barrier filter reduces product dilution resultant of residual condensation after "steam-in-place” processes. Also, pre-flushing a chemical process system with water can be accomplished effectively and aseptically. Also, comparatively large volume of liquid can be used for removal of extractables and for pre-wetting for integrity testing.
  • the filter according to one embodiment thereof, can be integrity tested with a 70/30 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water.
  • filter unit capable of effectively filtering both liquid and gaseous fluids.
  • It is another object of the present invention to provide a filter unit comprising, within a common enclosure, one or several filter membranes having singularly or collectively a mixture or hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions.
  • FIG. 1 to 9 provides a schematic representational illustration. The relative location, shapes, and sizes of certain objects are occasionally exaggerated to facilitate discussion and presentation herein.
  • the present invention is drawn to a filter unit having a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic membrane regions and to a chemical process system into which said filter unit is installed.
  • the inventive filter unit is configured to provide a sterile barrier at fluid discharge points in aseptic pharmaceutical/chemical processes, enabling liquid and/or gas withdrawal, yet maintaining the sterile conditions under which the process is conducted.
  • membrane-based chemical processes e.g ., product purification, concentration, and isolation processes
  • fluid withdrawal is often conducted, for example, during and after steam sterilization, for drying and cooling of aseptic processing equipment, and for pre-use integrity testing of membrane filters.
  • the inventive filter comprises, within a common enclosure (e.g ., a filter housing, casing, or the like), one, or several filter membranes having singularly or collectively a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions.
  • the common enclosure is provided with a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a fluid path therebetween. All of the filter membranes enclosed within the housing is located within said fluid path.
  • the common enclosure of the inventive filter can be structured in various formats and dimensions, employing a variety of materials.
  • Common formats include, but is not limited to, box-like cassettes, disks, and long or squat cylinders.
  • Such formats are well-known in the art. See e.g ., U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,759, issued to S. Proulx et al. on November 9, 1999 ; U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,235, issued to R.B. Cooper on April 9, 1991 ; U.S. Pat. No. 6,153,098, issued to R.E. Bayerlein et al. on November 28, 2000 ; and U.S. Pat. No. 6123,076, issued to K.A. Roberts et al. on September 26, 2000 .
  • the common enclosure be structured such that, but for the enclosure's inlet and outlet, the internal volume contained thereby is essentially "closed".
  • the enclosure's inlet and outlet, in combination with the filter's internal structure, will determine the process stream through which fluid is conducted through the filter.
  • the filter membrane component of the filters can be positioned within the process stream in several arrangements.
  • the membrane components can be positioned tangentially or orthogonally along the process stream.
  • the membrane component may be either a singular unit (e.g., a pleated tubular membrane) or a plurality of individual units (e.g ., a stack of individual membrane disks).
  • the inventive filter can be constructed using any of several commercially-available or otherwise publicly-accessible membranes or membrane technologies.
  • a preferred membrane material is hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane.
  • PVDF polyvinylidene fluoride
  • Such inherently hydrophobic membrane can be rendered hydrophilic by applying or otherwise treating the surface thereof with a hydrophilic monomer, oligomer, or polymer.
  • membranes include, but are not limited to, nylons and other polyamides such as Nylon 6 and Nylon 66, PTFE, polysulphones, polyethersulphones, polyarylsulphones, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, polyolefins (such as ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, low density polyethylene, and polypropylene), thermoplastic fluorinated polymers (such as poly(TFE-co-PFAVE)), polycarbonates, and the like.
  • nylons and other polyamides such as Nylon 6 and Nylon 66, PTFE, polysulphones, polyethersulphones, polyarylsulphones, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, polyolefins (such as ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, low density polyethylene, and polypropylene), thermoplastic fluorinated polymers (such as poly(TFE-co-PFAVE)), polycarbonates, and the like.
  • a typical first step; in the manufacture of a membrane is casting, which provides a hydrophobic membrane with a morphological structure. This is important, since it is this hydrophobic structure which determines to a large extent the homogeneous nature of the membrane structure which is a combination of porosity and pore size. It is this structure which gives the membrane its fundamental microbial retention characteristics.
  • the resultant hydrophobic membrane can be rendered hydrophilic through chemical surface treatment, such as coating or grafting.
  • Suitable processes for rendering membranes hydrophilic are known.
  • U.S. Pat. No 4,944,879, issued to M.J. Steuck on July 31, 1990 describes a membrane surface treatment methodology, wherein a hydrophobic membrane is coated with one or more hydrophilic monomers, and then cross-linked onto surface of the membrane and its pores, rendering hydrophilic the coated and crosslinked regions of the membrane.
  • US 5,928,792 issued to W. Moya on July 27, 1999 , describes another surface treatment methodology, wherein a hydrophilic perfluorocarbon copolymer composition is provided onto a hydrophobic membrane formed from PTFE and other fluorinated resins.
  • the "hydrophilization" process employed should simply render the initially cast membrane sufficiently hydrophilic for use in aqueous filtration, without changing. modifying, or otherwise altering the pore size, membrane structure, hydrophobic bubble point, or microbial retention characteristics of the base membrane.
  • the utilization of the differentiated membrane regions according to present invention in a common barrier filter device ensure that both filter membranes can be operated within their appropriate pressure ranges.
  • the sterilizing grade phobic membrane will be pressurized beyond its intrusion pressure, risking breach thereof, as the hydrophilic membrane -- though wet -- provides a highly permeable path for the release of excess gas.
  • the permeability of the hydrophilic membrane provides an upper limit for the amount of gaseous pressure that can accumulate within the barrier filter.
  • the inventive multi-functional filter unit can be employed in several different applications in a preferred application, it is installed as an aseptic barrier filter in a chemical process system for the manufacture of a liquid product from a liquid raw material, wherein such manufacture requires membrane-based filtration of said liquid raw material.
  • the chemical process system 100 comprises: the barrier filter unit 10; a network of conduits and receptacles 20 that essentially defines the system's fluid process stream; the process membrane 60, and a receptacle 30 for collecting finished product.
  • the network of conduits and receptacles 20 -- as evident from the various embodiments illustrated in Figs. 5 to 9 -- is subject to a broad range of differing configurations.
  • network 20 will function to receive liquid raw and/or starting material at "one end", conduct it through the process stream defined thereby, and producing the desired liquid product at the "other end".
  • the network 20 is provided with (a) input means for introducing said liquid raw material into said fluid process stream, (b) output ports for discharging fluid out of said fluid process stream.
  • the network 20 is preferably an "essentially closed” network, and also, preferably sterile and/or aseptic.
  • the input means will typically include both liquid inlet 40 and gas inlets 50. It is possible also to employ a single common inlet capable of receiving both liquid and gaseous material.
  • the network 20 employs at least two discharge ports 22 and 24.
  • the first discharge port 22 enable discharge of finished product from the network 20 into a product collection receptacle 30.
  • the second discharge port 24 enables discharge of a fluid stream -- either liquid or gas -- from the network 20 into the sterile barrier filter 10.
  • the second discharge port 24 is located along the fluid process stream at a position between the process membrane 60 and port 22.
  • the product collection receptacle 30 is essentially any receptacle capable of holding the predetermined product yield capacity of the system 100.
  • the receptacle will be provided with the appropriate fittings necessary to establish a tight, hermetically sealed union with system's first discharge port 22, thereby maintaining the system's aseptic and/or sterile condition.
  • the receptacle can be made in any shape and of virtually any material (e.g ., glass, plastic, or metal), provided of course, said material is compatible with the product sought to be collected.
  • the membrane components are functionally different. Care should be taken not to confuse the two.
  • the "filter membrane” component 12 is that employed within the barrier filter 10.
  • the "process membrane” component 60 is that employed in the system 100 for the purpose of conducting the system's chemical manufacturing process. The chemical process will yield product with or without the "filter membrane” component 12. The chemical process will either not yield the desired product or otherwise yield a markedly different product ( i.e ., in respect of purity, concentration, and the like) in the absence of the "process membrane” component 60.
  • the filter membrane component 12 must be provided with substantially differentiated hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. There is no such requirement for the process membrane component 60. Rather, the present invention requires only that the process membrane component 60 be positioned within said fluid process stream and be capable of filtering the aforementioned liquid raw material as it passes therethrough.
  • Material useful for the manufacture of the process membrane component 60 include synthetic or natural compositions and may be inorganic, organic, or mixture thereof.
  • Typical inorganic materials include, but are not limited to, glasses, ceramics, metals, cermets ( i.e ., ceramic/metal composites), and the like.
  • the organic materials are generally polymeric in nature, and can be substituted or unsubstituted.
  • Typical polymers include, but are not limited to, polysulfones; polystyrenes, including styrene-containing copolymers such as acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, styrene-butadiene copolymers and styrene-vinylbenzylhalide copolymers; polycarbonates; cellulosic polymers, such as cellulose acetate-butyrate; cellulose propionate, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, etc.
  • polyamides and polyimides including aryl polyamides and aryl polyimides
  • polyethers poly(arylene oxides) such as poly(phenylene oxide) and poly(xylylene oxide); poly(esteramide-diisocyanate); polyurethanes; polyesters (including polyarylates) such as poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(alkyl methacrylates), poly(alkyl acrylates), poly(phenylene terephthalate), etc.
  • a filter unit comprising, in a common enclosure (not shown), a plurality of hydrophilic membrane discs 12A, 12B and 12C stacked together with a hydrophobic membrane disc 13 inserted between hydrophilic membranes 12A and 12B.
  • the preferred hydrophobic and hydrophilic membrane discs are Durapore® membrane discs. These are PVDF-based membranes available form Millipore Corporation.
  • Figs. 2 and 3 show embodiments of the present invention that implement, within a well-known filter cartridge format, a single tubular pleated membrane sheet 12 having differentiated regions of hydrophobicity ( A ) and hydrophilicity ( B ).
  • the single tubular pleated sheet 12 is maintained in its relatively fixed tubular conformation within the filter cartridge 10 by use of external and internal supports 17 and 18.
  • Supports 17 and 18 are made of rigid material and provided with uniformly dispersed holes to allow the inward flow ( I ) of fluid from regions peripheral to the membrane 12, then through membrane 12 into the filter cartridge 10's core, and then outwardly ( O ) therefrom.
  • Filter cartridge 10 (in both the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 embodiments) is provided with an external sleeve (i.e ., the "common enclosure", not shown) equipped with an inlet and outlet. The inlet leads into the said peripheral regions. Said core leads into the outlet.
  • openings can vary widely and should be sufficient to support the membrane while allowing water on the membrane surface or in the membrane pores to be substantially drained from the membrane at least in the hydrophobic areas.
  • Suitable open mesh materials include plastic screening and extruded open netting such as NALTEX® netting available from U.S. Netting of Austin, Texas.
  • pleated sheet configurations in Fig. 2 and 3 use only a single membrane sheet
  • other pleated sheet configurations can use a plurality of pleated membrane sheets, each sheet being individual either hydrophobic or hydrophilic.
  • Each sheet can individually form a pleated tube, with the tubes being co-axially inserted one into the other.
  • each sheet can define one arcuate side of single pleated tube.
  • a tubular pleated membrane configuration 12 comprising a plurality of individual membrane sheets 12A and 12B, at least one of which is hydrophilic (e.g ., membrane 12A), with another being hydrophobic (e.g ., membrane 12B).
  • hydrophilic membrane 12A is a Durapore® membrane (available from Millipore Corporation)
  • hydrophobic membrane 12B is a stretched PTFE membrane (e.g .; such as made by and available form W.L. Gore and Associates of Wilmington, Delaware).
  • a hydrophilized Durapore® membrane can also be utilized.
  • Membrane sheets 12A and 12B are each individually pleated, then joined to each other, in this case by a strip of adhesive 48.
  • Suitable adhesives include those which are compatible with each membrane layer and are typically a melt bond type of adhesive such as a polyolefin, including polyethylene, polypropylene and the like or a PTFE resin.
  • a polyolefin including polyethylene, polypropylene and the like or a PTFE resin.
  • Some combinations of membranes can simply be heat sealed or ultrasonically sealed together especially when they are formed of the same polymer and one or both contains a surface treatment rendering them respectively hydrophilic and hydrophobic.
  • filter unit of the present invention owing in large part to the combined usage of hydrophilic and hydrophobic membrane material therein -- can be conveniently steam sterilized in place ( i.e ., without removing it from the system into which it is installed), and hence, enabling better control and maintenance of extant aseptic conditions.
  • the sterile product filter can be wet with liquid, usually water, and the water is then routed to the sterile barrier filter, and air is evacuated through the hydrophobic portion of the membrane and water through the hydrophilic portion of the membrane.
  • a further advantage of the sterile barrier filter of the present invention is realized during enhanced bubble point integrity testing of the product filter.
  • the diffusion of the test gas through the wetted product filter membrane will create a back pressure downstream of the product filter if the system is not vented to atmospheric pressure. This situation will lead to errors in determination of the bubble point.
  • Use of the sterile barrier filter allows for free flow of the test gas to maintain the downstream side of the filter at the required atmospheric pressure.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a chemical process system 100 according to the present invention, utilizing barrier filter 10.
  • the chemical process system 100 comprises a product collection vessel 30, the barrier filter 10, and a network of conduits and receptacles 20
  • network 20 comprises conduits 200, a receptacle ( cf ., component 60), and valves 300, arranged to define a fluid process stream.
  • the network is provided with inlets 40, 50, and 45 for the introduction into the fluid process stream of gas, water, and steam.
  • the network is provided with discharge ports 22 and 24.
  • Discharge port 22 enables the transit of fluid out of network 20 and into product collection vessel 30.
  • Discharge port 24, coupled to the filter inlet 14, enables the transit of fluid (liquid or gaseous) out of network 20 and into barrier filter 10.
  • a mixture of air and nitrogen gas in introduced into the system through inlet 40, water through inlet 50, and steam though inlet 45.
  • the receptacle 60 i.e., a process filter unit containing a process filter membrane -- the water, nitrogen, air, and steam continue through conduits 200 and ultimately into the barrier filter 10, where each is respectively discharged through barrier filter outlets 16.
  • integrity test filter 60 after flowing steam through the entire system 100, water is dispensed from inlet 50 through process filter unit 60, then through valve 24, then through barrier filter unit 10. Valve 22 is closed throughout the procedure. Next, air or nitrogen gas is dispensed through the system 100 through inlet 40 through process filter unit 60 at a pressure below the process filter unit 60's so-called "bubble point". Because the process filter unit 60 is wet from the preceding step, it will not pass any bulk volume of gas, thus enabling the acquisition of integrity-characterizing measurements of pressure decay on the feed side of filter 60. When the air or nitrogen gas enters the system 100, it will urge water throughout the system to exit through the barrier filter 10. And, once the integrity test is complete, the fluid to be processed can now pass through process filter unit 60 and' through valve 22 (now open) into the collection vessel 30.
  • barrier filter 10 can be isolated from the remainder ;of the system 100 by activating or deactivating the appropriate valves 300 such that the flow proceeds from the product filter/receptacle 60 to the product collection vessel 30.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a chemical process system 100 according to the present invention, utilizing barrier filter 10.
  • the chemical process system 100 of Fig. 8 comprises a product collection vessel 30, the barrier filter 10, and a network of conduits and receptacles 20.
  • network 20 comprises conduits 200, a receptacle ( cf ., component 60), and valves 300, arranged to define a fluid process stream.
  • the network is provided with inlets 40 for the introduction into the fluid process stream of gas, water, and/or steam.
  • the network is provided with discharge ports 22 and 24 (valves not shown).
  • a bag as the product collection vessel 30.
  • Such systems are often used in connection with the processing, collection, and/or packaging of intravenously-administered fluids (e.g ., blood serum), thus calling for heightened vigilance in sterilization and septic maintenance.
  • process filter units 60 are indispensable for processing the collected fluid, they may also be a source of leechable extractable material.
  • Gamma irradiation of the system 100 -- a common sterilization procedure implemented with such systems -- can increase the level of readily leechable extractable material. This is problematic. In many cases the "bags" have a comparatively low volume capacity and the level of extractables can be considerable.
  • use of the inventive barrier filter 10 enables any sterile process filter units 60 attached to the bags to be both flushed to reduce extractable content and then integrity tested without jeopardizing the extant sterility of such closed sterile system.
  • FIG. 8 Also notable in Fig. 8 is the use of simple conduits, rather than valves, for discharge ports 22 and 24.
  • the present invention is not limited to any configuration for such discharge ports. Any means capable of providing fluid access from the system into the barrier filter and into the product collection vessel will suffice. A conduit will provide such functionality.
  • inventive filter unit 10 can be employed in virtually any membrane-based fluid system, wherein integrity testing (involving both gaseous and liquid fluids) of the system's process membrane is desired. Examples of such systems (i.e., systems 110) are represented in Figs. 6 and 7 .
  • the systems 110 of Fig. 6 and 7 are similar to systems 100 of Figs. 4 , 5 , and 8 in that they all implement a network of conduits and receptacle 20.
  • System 110 differ in the reduced emphasis of a product collection vessel and its functionality, particularly in respect of the positioning of the filter unit 10. Essentially, if a product collection vessel is implemented -- as is the case in Fig. 6 -- for purposes of construing the scope of the invention, it is considered part of the network of conduits and receptacles 20.
  • Fig. 6 illustrates a system 110, wherein a sterile barrier filter 10 is positioned in communication with a drain 124 ( i.e ., system discharge port 124) of a sterile tank 30 to allow the draining of condensate, cooling, and drying, subsequent to the conduct of, for example, steam-in-place sterilizing procedures.
  • a drain 124 i.e ., system discharge port 1244
  • system 110 of Fig. 6 comprises a membrane-based network of conduits and receptacles 20, the network 20 having a system discharge port 124 leading into the installed barrier filter 10.
  • network 20 includes conduits 200, receptacles ( cf ., components 60 and 30), and valves 300, arranged to define a fluid process stream.
  • Component 30 is essentially a vat used to collect the permeate passed through component 60.
  • Component 60 is a process filter unit, in which is housed a process membrane.
  • the network 20 is provided with inlets 40 at its several upstream ends for the introduction into the fluid process stream of gas, water, and/or steam.
  • a bi-directional barrier filter 10 is positioned downstream of the second of the redundant filters 60B to enable the wetting liquid downstream of the second filter 60B to be evacuated from the system without compromising the sterility of the system.
  • the integrity test which is a gas flow-based operation, in conducted through this sterile barrier filter 10.
EP09158596A 2000-12-01 2001-12-03 Sperrfilter mit hydrophilen und hydrophoben Membranteilen Withdrawn EP2110168A1 (de)

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US25043600P 2000-12-01 2000-12-01
EP01990941A EP1337317B1 (de) 2000-12-01 2001-12-03 Chemisches verfahrenssystem mit multifunktionalem sperrfilter

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EP09158596A Withdrawn EP2110168A1 (de) 2000-12-01 2001-12-03 Sperrfilter mit hydrophilen und hydrophoben Membranteilen

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WO2002043841A3 (en) 2003-02-27
JP2005329407A (ja) 2005-12-02
US6902671B2 (en) 2005-06-07
AU2002230698A1 (en) 2002-06-11
EP1337317B1 (de) 2009-06-03
WO2002043841A2 (en) 2002-06-06
DE60138907D1 (de) 2009-07-16
EP1337317A2 (de) 2003-08-27
JP4704854B2 (ja) 2011-06-22
US20020096467A1 (en) 2002-07-25
JP2004514551A (ja) 2004-05-20
JP4358507B2 (ja) 2009-11-04

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